National Life Guest House Turns 55

Members of the Guest House team, from left to right: Emma Sheedy, Heather Garcia, Tess Bacevicius, Erin Knox and Pierce Kiniry.

As we continue Growing with Purpose, it’s always meaningful to pause and reflect on the spaces that have shaped our journey. This May, we celebrate one of those places, our beloved Guest House (also known as the Hopkins House), which turns 55 this year.

Since opening its doors in 1970, the Guest House has been a warm and welcoming part of our Vermont campus, quietly playing host to agents, political leaders, celebrity performers and even many of us.

The Guest House officially marked its debut with an open house for associates on August 26, 1970. Much has changed over the past five and a half decades, but the spirit of hospitality and connection lives on within those walls.

The frame goes up on what will become our cherished Guest House.

In 2023, National Life invested in a significant renovation project that enhanced the living room, dining room and public spaces of the main floor of the House. In addition, the kitchen was also completely renovated to reimagine and modernize its space.

Thanks to the care and commitment of our Facilities and Conference teams as well as our Guest House staff, our Guest House continues to shine.

Please take a moment to watch the video below to see how this remarkable place looks today, learn more about its history and discover its recent renovations.

Whether you remember a quiet overnight stay, a conversation that sparked something big, or a moment of laughter shared with a guest or teammate, we’d love to hear your favorite memory from your time in the Guest House. These stories are the heart of what makes a space feel like home.